Improvement in corpse-preserving caskets



B. HARTWELL.

Corpse Preserving-Casket.

' N0.l60,186. PatentedF'eb.2 3,l875.

' minasses:

W ATTORNEYS.

THE GRAPHIC CO.PNOT0.-LlTH-39&4l PARK PLAOLNY- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIcE.

BARTHOLOMEW HARTWELL, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

IMPROVEMENT IN COR'PSEPPRESERVING GASKETS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 160.186, dated February 23, 1875 application filed August 22, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BARTHOLOMEW HART- WELL, of Baltimore city, in the State of Maryland, have invented a new and Improved Corpse-Preserving Gasket; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and

. exact description of the same, reference being after described and specifically claimed.

A A represent the outer casing of casket, made in two parts, jointed together, so as to be easily detachable, and at the same time as nearly air-tight as possible. The inside may be suitably lined with metal, and the top provided with a long glass, B, surrounded by a raised bead, (J. In the latter is placed a twopart removable cover, D D, while-at the bottom is located an outlet, E, for the water, resulting from liquefaction of the ice. On this bottom is placed the stand F, raised by feet, perforated on the sides, and having an upwardly-projecting flange, f, around the opening F, formed by cutting out the top portion. Over this upward flange fits a corresponding downward flange, g, of the cooling-board G. This prevents any liquid from coming in contact with the body. H is a head-rest. provided with screw h, adjustable in the base h, to raise or lower the head of corpse. I I are clamps, adjustable toward each other, and swiveled in a slot, 7L2, of the rest, so as to hold the head firmly in any position desired. The level of stand F is some distance below the edges of the lower section A of casket and the top of cooling-board Gr, thus allowing said edges and cooling-board, together with the stand F, to

' hold securely in place the several sections of ice-chamber K until the top section A is jointed to the lower section A. This enables me to make my ice-chamber in end sections k, body section H, and side sections 70 10 each of which may be readily filled with ice from the wagon, easily carried into the house of deceased, and conveniently adj ustedin the casket. This supersedes the usual method of procedure where the undertaker transports huge tubs of broken ice into the parlor, and shovels it into the casket with a noise disagreeable to the griefstricken family, and unsuitable to such a melancholy occasion. By these several improvements noticeable objections to the casket have been removed, and its adaptation to the purpose intended in a great degree augmented.

Between the metallic lining and the shell or case may be packed any suitable non-conducting material, if so desired, and the body ice-section 70 may be provided with a flexible tube or pipe, leading from the lowest part thereof to an opening between end sections 70 it beyond the foot end of the cooling-board.

L is a faucet and spigot, by which to draw off water from the bottom of the casket.

The casing or shell being made in two equal, or nearly equal, parts, and its weight thus divided, can be easily handled by one man. The top part can be readily removed or lifted off, thereby giving easy access to the interior of the casket Whenever desired for arranging the attire or for other purpose. The upper part or cover D D of the upper half of the casket, which covers the glass B, can be left on when the ice-chamber I0 is used 3 otherwise it is to be left off entirely. When said ice-chamber is used the part D of the cover may, however, be turned back to uncover the face of the corpse.

Having thus described. my invention, what I claim as new is 1. The combination of stand F and coolingboard G, having, respectively, the flanges f g, as and for the purpose described.

2. The clamps I I, swiveled and movable toward each other in a slot of head-rest, as and for the purpose specified.

3. The described combination with edges of lower section of casket-case, of the stand F, and raised cooling-board G, forming a gutter or groove to hold the sections of ice-chamber until the top section is put in place.

BARTHOLOMEW HARTWELL.

Witnesses:

J OHN H. SHoTRow, MATTHEW CADOGAN. 

